Developed after the Managing Director's wife had lost all her hair during her cancer treatment, using the help of his brother, his engineering knowledge and the resources of his business, the Paxman Scalp Cooler was created.

Following trials at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary the product was launched and company formed in 1997. The first systems were sold to hospitals such as Christies in Manchester, St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and The Derriford Hospital, Plymouth - all of which are still in use today - a testimony to the reliability and success of the product.

The system has received the Millennium Product Award for Innovation and has had much success in many hospitals and specialist cancer treatment centres in the UK and countries throughout Europe and other parts of the World.

Paxman Hair Loss Prevention System

Besides the initial diagnosis of cancer itself, alopecia continues to be the most traumatic and distressing psychological side effect that many cancer patients will experience. Alopecia is seen as a constant reminder of the disease and can cause negative changes in body image, decreased social activity, and altered interpersonal relationships. These practical and emotional problems can result in a patient's reluctance, even refusal, to accept treatment.

Cancer chemotherapy affects rapidly dividing cells and at any given time, 90% of human hair follicles are in the actively dividing phase. Hair loss frequently occurs due to partial or total atrophy of the hair root bulb, causing constriction of the hair shaft, which then breaks off easily.

Cooling the scalp during selected chemotherapy regimes has been shown to reduce or prevent otherwise inevitable total hair loss.

Other systems based on this principle utilise packs of crushed ice and frozen gel caps. These have the disadvantage of being uncomfortable, heavy to wear and are applied to the scalp at an unbearable temperature of -25°C which heats rapidly when in contact with the scalp, and perhaps more important however is the application and monitoring aspect, which is very time consuming for nursing staff.

Thermocircular systems utilised a cold cap of circulating glycol in the past as long ago as 1982. Paxman Coolers have applied the same principles using modern technology to produce the Paxman Scalp Cooler. A system that works, is user friendly, is a cost effective way to reduce the need to supply wigs, and has been accepted by doctors, nursing staff and patients alike. Previous problems associated with cold therapy treatments have been eliminated.